While airline personnel seem uncertain about the safety benefits of installing flight deck door video monitoring systems, many seem to think that wireless communications between pilots and flight attendants is an idea whose time has come.

On Sept. 21, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice of proposed federal rulemaking in both areas, with a public comment period that will end Nov. 21. In that notice, the agency indicates that it may, in the end, accept certain low-tech solutions. Thus, instead of a new video system, the peepholes that some craft already have in their flight deck doors might suffice. Also, instead of a wireless communication system for the crew to use, airline personnel could continue to make do with signals or code words verbally transmitted across the cabin or over the intercom.

A large number of passengers endorsed the proposal, but GoJet Airlines - the only carrier to take a position on the suggestions - opposes the proposed security systems.

GoJet, a new unit of St. Louis-based Trans States Holdings, is flying new Bombardier [BBD] CRJ 700s as part of the United Express network. In its filing, the regional carrier said it doesn't see how a new video system could add to what pilots can already see through a peephole into the cabin, particularly if, in most situations, they're just trying to size up a passenger who is trying to gain entrance to the cockpit. An electronic system "adds costs, weight, complexity and no increase in safety." Such systems would also introduce reliability problems, maintenance issues, and the necessity of keeping aircraft out of service during installation.

Moreover, GoJet said that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) already requires the flight deck door area to be visible from the cabin area. "This has the intended effect of enabling every passenger to be a monitor for aircraft safety for the cockpit door area."

Opposition to the change seemed to arise strictly from a concern about the cost, said Marcus Flagg, a United Parcel Service pilot and president of the Passenger-Cargo Security Group (PCSG). But "in this day and age," it's time for something more sophisticated, he insisted.

Signals and code words are simply not reliable enough ways to immediately alert the cockpit that there's a critical situation, said representatives from two flight attendants' unions.

>>Docket: FAA-05-22449. Contacts: Allen Mattes, FAA, (202) 267-3412; Marcus Flagg, PCSG.<<